Empty as the sky

Here's a story of how I fell, got back up, learnt an important lesson and become a stronger person.

PART 1

On another solo journey, this time with with a different frame of mind. Recent events had made me feel delicate and I hadn't had time to deal with it before I had to get on the plane. 

This story consisted of walking down a certain path because it felt right. Deep inside I thought what was at the end of the this path I wasn't ready for, and it wasn't in my capability to achieve but I still followed my instinct. On the way I stopped, listened and followed, stopped, listened and followed. The sounds became louder and I knew I was getting closer. The sound I could hear gave me the impression I was heading towards something really exciting and I couldn't wait to be in the midst of it all and finally be able to have the big positive effect that I have always wanted to spread. Friends and family all cheered and assured me that I would reach the destination. I kept going, through the struggles and obstacles  and got so close I could finally see the door that led to this wonderful opportunity in my view. I arrived at the door, my heart pounding, I reached for the handle, turned it.... but it to my surprise, it was bolted shut.

All I could think about was 'How could that be? Why would life lead me all the way down this difficult road, to a bolted door I couldn't open?' 

But without having time to think about it more, off I went on a journey that I had organised 5 weeks previously, a little afraid of yet more disappointment that may be bestowed upon me. But for some reason, I still had an unbreakable faith that the universe is working with me and not conspiring against me. Every downfall has made me even stronger, and so as a true lion would, off I went with as much courage as I could muster, into the unknown.....



PART 2

Heading home I finally have time for reflection. I thank life for giving me the opportunity to explore and experience another land and spend time with good people. And I have a sudden realization that I have learnt something very important during my trip. Good things enter your life sometimes, out of random. They show this beautiful display of colour and light, like the the lights of aurora. You are in a state of great happiness. And then this good thing slowly fades away, and the display finishes. And there is suddenly an emptiness.....

This seems such a negative word. However, what I learnt was, it's what you do with that emptiness that determines your emotional state afterwards, therefore also determining how well the events of your life will go following that experience. 

If you fill the emptiness with expectations and judgments of the situation, there is a big chance you will get let down, disappointed, and hurt. And when you are in this state, your so full of sadness, that other good opportunities pass you by without you even knowing.

But if you leave it empty, without expectation or judgement you will just have this space, a void. And with this space, you will have room for other good things to come into your life, always welcoming the great opportunities and always remaining in a state of peace and contentedness.

Space and emptiness is the most valuable thing we have. And when we feel it inside of us, we have a tendency to think we should be filling it as quickly possible with anything that gives a very temporary feeling of satisfaction, be it, drugs, alcohol, sex or food.

But the reality is, it's not painful at all. It's light, it's free and it's exciting. Creating a void and making room for the universe to swoop in and give you what you have always dreamed of will only attract beautiful experiences ahead of you. 

This concept has actually been woven into many different religions, cultures and spiritual teaching practices for thousands of years all over the world. I've decided to illustrate 5 different examples to show this.

Be empty as the sky, and be free.

EXAMPLES

1) WISE MAN STORY

This is illustrated in the story of a wise man who won an expensive car in a lottery.

 His family and friends were very happy for him and came to celebrate. ‘Isn’t it great!’ they said. ‘You are so lucky.’ The man smiled and said, ‘Maybe.’

For a few weeks he enjoyed driving the car. Then one day a drunken driver smashed into his new car at an intersection and he ended up in the hospital, with multiple injuries. His family and friends came to see him and said, ‘That was really unfortunate.’ Again the man smiled and said, ‘Maybe.’

While he was still in the hospital, one night there was a landslide and his house fell into the sea. Again his friends came the next day and said, ‘Weren’t you lucky to have been here in hospital.’ Again he said, ‘Maybe.’”  
Being without judgment, is to be without pain.

2) SIKHISM

Inside the Guru Granth Sahib, their holy book, there is a passage that says:

'Be just as the lotus flower is not affected by water and always remains much above the surface, however big the rise and fall in it's level may be.

Be just as the duck who lives in the water, swims on it, but its wings do not become wet and it can fly away at any time. 

Be detached, and you will be able to swim across the world ocean."



3) SCIENCE 

'Apparently 99.9% of the whole entire vastness of the universe.....is.........space. nothing. voidness to its max. In between all the atoms that make us up there is more space then mass. This amount of empty space is not just huge, but gravitational too. Its grounding, and curves the shape of the planets orbits and the overall outline of universe itself.'



4) JAPANESE WRITING

Sky-  空

空 Kū or sora, most often translated as "Void", but also meaning "sky" or "Heaven", represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness.

Kū is of particular importance as the highest of the elements. In martial arts, one often invokes the power of the Void to connect to the creative energy of the world. A warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without thinking, and without using their physical senses.

5) BUDDHISM 

a passage from the book of TAOISM

11

Thirty spokes will converge
In the hub of a wheel;
But the use of the cart
Will depend on the part
Of the hub that is void.

With a wall all around A clay bowl is molded;
But the use of the bowl
Will depend on the part
Of the bowl that is void.

Cut out windows and doors
In the house as you build;
But the use of the house
Will depend on the space
In the walls that is void.

So advantage is had
From whatever is there;
But usefulness rises
From whatever is not